2016 CIK-FIA Best-Of: Words from the President of the CIK-FIA

13.12.2016

The excellent sporting record is not the only highlight of the 2016 season that has just ended. Important innovations are indeed in force successfully while others have been announced for the near future. Karting is currently engaged in a major transition to enable it to meet the challenges of changing times.

The CIK-FIA, through the CIK Commission and the various working groups, several years ago began a necessary renewal of its strategic directions, with the effects appearing gradually.

The most important innovation of the year was of course the introduction of new OK and OK-Junior categories to replace the older KF generation. With solid technical arguments such as performance, simplicity and reliability, but also based on financial cost of acquisition and more affordable maintenance, OK and OK-Junior made a good debut and should continue to gain acceptance at all levels in the coming years.

In parallel with the accession of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Karting to the status of the CIK-FIA Endurance Championship, responding to a request after substantive work on the part of the ACO, the 31st edition of the French classic also enhanced the reputation of the OK engines which emerged from their first year at the 24 hour race.

With the arrival of OTK Kart Group as a technical partner, the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy experienced a particularly attractive 7th season which allowed it to fulfil the task of the detection and training of young talent more than ever.

The three World Championships, now run over one Competition each, create growing interest and generate excellent media coverage. Sweden rose to a great challenge, succeeding in perfectly organising the CIK-FIA World Championship for KZ. The holding of the CIK-FIA World Championship for the OK and OK-Junior categories in Bahrain is close to my heart and I thank the sporting authorities of that country for their efforts to facilitate the arrival of a large number of participants at its widely appreciated circuit. I warmly congratulate the three new World Champions honoured this year in the top-level competitions.

2017 will open with a major change concerning the lowering of the age that Drivers can take part in competitions by one year in the categories of direct-drive karts like OK-Junior and OK. This is to adapt to the overall development of motorsport in which access to cars has been significantly increased. In addition to strengthening the entries in international karting Competitions, this measure is also intended to allow young drivers to enjoy another year of learning in this very formative discipline before the leap into cars. In terms of quality, and also safety, Formula 4 races should emerge stronger.

I conclude by thanking all those who have invested dynamically in the development of Karting worldwide. The CIK-FIA will continue with its efforts to give our sport back a prime place in the great family of Motorsport.